Music Degree (B.A.), Performance - Instrumental Concentration

Why Choose a Concentration in Instrumental Performance?

The Instrumental Performance concentration at Westfield State University is available to students who audition in after at least one term of study. Designed to focus the student’s attention towards the goal of professional-level performance ability on one instrument within the Western art music tradition, there is a greater emphasis placed on studio instruction and practice akin to study at a conservatory. Mastery of fundamentals and the ability to sight read are areas of focus, while the preparation of specific music for degree recitals featuring standard repertoires is ongoing. In addition to study in the core areas music history and theory, Instrumental Performance Concentration students are expected to participate in and play a leadership role in both large and small performing ensembles.

All instrumental must students are required to have a minimum of three chamber ensemble experiences (standard repertoire) in varied formats throughout the course of completing their program requirements (each approved by the academic advisor and the applied music instructor). Music Education students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in ensembles during the semester of their practicum. All pianists with a major emphasis in piano are required to enroll in MUSC 0240 - Chamber Ensembles, each semester they are enrolled in applied piano lessons.

Applied Music Requirements - 12 Credits

Music majors are required to complete eight semesters of applied lessons. Applied music study requires a jury examination every semester for music majors and for music minors, as well as for those students enrolled in a required secondary applied lesson. Students taking applied music must also register each semester for MUSC 0280 - Music Studio . Students who present a curricular recital are not required to present a jury during the semester of the recital. All students who wish to present a recital (degree or elective) must pass a pre-recital hearing during studio class a minimum of three weeks prior to the recital (three applied faculty members must be present at the hearing).

Note:

Music Education students are exempt from their eighth semester of applied lessons and ensemble if enrolled in MUSC 0328 - Practicum: Music K-12.

Performing Requirements - 3 Credits

All Music majors are required to complete six semesters of MUSC 0279 - Recital Attendance and Performance, (required attendance and performance at weekly studio classes and departmental recitals). Students are required to perform regularly in studio classes, and are required to perform at least once each year in a public departmental recital. Music minors may perform in a departmental recital at the discretion of the applied instructor.

Additional Requirements - 3 Credits

Instrumental Students

Non-ensemble Music Electives

Vocal Students

MUSC 0130 - Lyric Diction I

MUSC 0131 - Lyric Diction II

MUSC 0174 - Applied Music (Major) I *

Note:

* Upon completion of MUSC 0253

Optional Music Concentrations

Music majors may choose to declare one of the 6 concentrations. Students may not declare more than two concentrations. Note: each of the required 300-level music history seminars listed in the concentrations are in addition to the seminar required of all music majors in the General Requirements.

Performance - Instrumental - 18 Credits

Students must audition for admission into this concentration by passing a qualifying jury no later than the completion of their 4th semester of music major lesions (MUSC 0177). After successfully completion of the audition, students will enroll in 300-level Performance major lessons starting in their 5th semester. Transfer students must audition for admission into this concentration by the end of their 1st semester at Westfield.

Required Courses

MUSC 0312 - Form and Analysis

Music Theory and Composition Elective Credits: 2

Music Elective Credits: 3

MUSC 0288 - Junior Recital/Performance

MUSC 0388 - Senior Recital/Performance

Choose two of the following courses under advisement - 6 Credits

MUSC 0300 - Music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

MUSC 0301 - Music in the Baroque and Classical Eras

MUSC 0302 - Music in the Romantic Era

MUSC 0303 - Music in the Twentieth Century

MUSC 0304 - American Music

MUSC 0306 - Advanced Jazz History

Note:

Each of the required 300-level music history seminars listed are in addition to the seminar required of all music majors in the General Requirements.

One of the following courses - 3 Credits

LFRE 0101 - French I

LITA 0101 - Italian I Credits: 3

LGER 0101 - German I Credits: 3

One of the following courses - 2 Credits

MUSC 0330 - Choral Conducting

MUSC 0331 - Instrumental Conducting

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core .